The Good Friday Agreement has played a significant role in building Northern Ireland’s status as a global cyber security hub, the head of the UK government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has said.
Speaking at a the CYBER UK conference in Belfast, where domestic and international cyber leaders met this week, NSCS chief executive officer Lindy Cameron said the province plays a key role in the organisation’s work to securing the UK’s online resilience.
The conference heard how Northern Ireland is home to one of the highest concentrations of cyber security businesses in the world, a sector which is expected to add £437 million in value to the local economy in the next seven years. It is also ranked as the number one international destination for international investment by US cyber security firms, home to a raft high profile domestic and overseas names.
Over 100 companies with cyber security operations, ranging from start-ups to multinational corporations, are based in Belfast alone.
“The prosperous economy you see in Northern Ireland today has been built on the foundations of the peace process,” Ms Cameron, who is originally from the province, said. “Northern Ireland’s thriving cyber security industry is just one fantastic example of this. Since the peace process, we’ve seen a pipeline of trailblazing cyber talent develop and mature here.
“Northern Ireland has become an indispensable partner in the NCSC’s work to make the UK the safest place to work and live online, which is exactly why we brought CYBERUK to Belfast – and I couldn’t be prouder of my home city.”
The range of international cyber companies which have a base in in Northern Ireland include Proofpoint, IBM Security, Rapid7, Imperva, Microsoft, Nvidia and Synopsys, as well as growing names such as Anomali, Contrast Security and Cygilant. Locally-grown companies include SaltDNA, Uleska, B-Secur, Metacompliance, Titan IC (who were recently acquired by Mellanox Technologies / Nvidia), Skurio, Ampliphae, Seven Technologies and Liopa.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris also attended the conference.
“The Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement has had a transformative effect on Northern Ireland’s economy and enabled the building of a more vibrant society,” he said. “Today, Northern Ireland is becoming a byword for cutting edge technology, connectivity and innovation.
“CYBERUK in Belfast is a vote of confidence in Northern Ireland’s place in what is a thriving UK cyber security ecosystem. The UK Government remains committed to investing in Northern Ireland’s continuing prosperity and the great opportunities that exist here, which have been built on a foundation of peace.”
